Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Alpha-arbutin + 2 moreWorks well
“Anti-Dark Spot Serum”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin, niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Panthenol + 10 moreWorks well
“Formulated with advanced ingredients, including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this serum works to brighten and even out skin tone while reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Lactic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, AllantoinWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Niacinamide~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePentylene glycol~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAlpha-arbutin~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinPeg-12 dimethicone~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Peg-12 dimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLactic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidHydroxyethylcellulose~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePropylene glycol~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPanthenol~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAllantoin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinPalmitoyl sh-octapeptide-24 amide~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.9%
Elaeis guineensis extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrasodium edta~0.3–0.75%
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractLactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyvinyl alcohol~0.2–0.75%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Propanediol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidGlycerin~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPhenylpropanol~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolCaprylyl glycol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIngredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Alpha-arbutin, Peg-12 dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Palmitoyl sh-octapeptide-24 amide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Elaeis guineensis extract, Tetrasodium edta, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer, Polyvinyl alcohol, Xanthan gum, Sodium hydroxide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Unknown, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl glycol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| SinozAnti-Dark Spot SerumYOUR PRODUCT | pharma oilSunshine Serum 10% Vitamin C | Urban Skin RxHydraFirm + Brightening Serum | Queen Natural New York7in1 White and Bright Super Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 79% | 78% |
| Price | — | — | — | $20.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Awake Beauty Glow Pill Super SerumLa Clinica Hydrating & Healing Serum
Product summary
"Sinoz - Anti-Dark Spot Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Moisturizing and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (4.80% - 7.20%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.40% - 2.10%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.60% - 1.40% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.05% - 0.20%, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.05% - 0.25%, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans 0.10% - 0.30%, sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.35%, glycerin 0.10% - 0.50% and panthenol 0.60% - 1.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.